Sudan: No talks says rebel group

[Renew Deal]

KHARTOUM, Sudan -- A rebel leader from Sudan's troubled Darfur region says his group will not talk to the Sudanese government until it disarms Arab militias, casting doubts on U.N. hopes of fresh peace talks.

Sudan said it was improving security and aid in the western region, as European countries joined Washington in heaping pressure on Khartoum to end a conflict that threatens millions of lives and has been labeled genocide by the U.S. Congress.

Britain's top military commander said his country could muster 5,000 troops to intervene in Darfur while a senior EU official urged Sudan to disarm Arab militias accused of killing, raping and looting in black African villages.

In Melbourne Sunday, Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said Australia was likely to contribute a small number of troops to a U.N. peacekeeping mission.
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http://www.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/africa/07/25/sudan.rebels/index.html